Vacuum sealer apparatus and a film cartridge for a vacuum sealer and a means of operating the vacuum sealer and the film cartridge

ABSTRACT

A vacuum sealer for packaging, sealing and storing items and a film cartridge for a vacuum sealer is disclosed. The vacuum sealer has a means to feed, form, seal and cut film bags for storing items. The vacuum sealer preferably includes a body, a top portion, a base portion, a film cartridge, a drive mechanism, a sealing and cutting mechanism and a vacuum/pump mechanism. The film cartridge is operatively positioned in a feed opening in a top portion of the vacuum sealer. The film cartridge houses film for forming film bags for use in the vacuum sealer. The film cartridge may have tubular film contained in a collapsed state or may have two film rolls which are brought together and sealed at the edges. The vacuum sealer may be used in a vertical orientation or optionally in a horizontal or angled orientation.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/816,869 filed Jun. 28, 2006.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a vacuum sealer for packaging, sealingand storing items and a film cartridge for a vacuum sealer. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a vacuum sealer having a centerfilling film cartridge. The invention also relates to a vacuum sealerhaving a means to feed, form, seal and cut film bags for storing items.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many types of material and methods are available for packaging, sealingand storing various items, including vacuum packaging using plastic filmbags. Vacuum packaging involves removing air and/or gases from a storagecontainer or bag so that the contents thereof are not exposed to theair. Vacuum packaging is especially useful in protecting food and otherperishable items from spoilage and the growth of bacteria or mold sinceair does not come in contact with the food. Additionally, vacuumpackaging is useful for storing other items such as clothes, jewelry,fragile items and the like. Since vacuum packaging produces tight andcompact packages, the bulk of an item is reduced thereby minimizing thespace that the item occupies.

A problem with conventional vacuum packaging methods and apparatus isthat the items must be placed horizontally into a packaging bag suchthat the open end of the bag is on a side. This creates difficultieswhen the items to be sealed are food items, especially those beingliquid or having a liquid content. These types of food items often spillout of the bag or the bag may not be completely filled in order to avoidspillage from the bag.

The art discloses various methods and apparatus and for vacuum packagingand sealing items. One such apparatus is described in U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2005/0022473 A1 which describes a clampstructure for holding a bag and a removable drip tray which are eachused in a vacuum packaging appliance.

Further, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0028488 A1describes a vacuum packaging appliance for use with a bag including abase, a lid movably coupled to the base, a vacuum portion on the baseand/or lid for receiving the open end of the bag, and a vacuum pumpoperably coupled to the vacuum chamber for removing gas from the vacuumchamber.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,848,234 B2 describes a sealing machine including a maincase, a first sealing member, a second sealing member, a movablesupporting part movably supporting the second sealing member, a heaterfor heating and melting the pack and a pair of grip parts.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,866,390 describes an apparatus for evacuating andsealing thermoplastic bags. A foodstuff to be preserved is placed withina bag and the open mouth of the bag is then sleeved over an evacuationnozzle in the apparatus and held in place by a retaining means. A vacuumpump and heater bar are then activated to evacuate and seal the bagrespectively.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,370,847 B1 and 6,516,588 B2 describe a waste or diaperdisposal system for packing odorous waste in individually sealed(air-tight) packages. The system includes a hinged base and containerbody with a loading area including a tubular core for holding flexibletubing. Alternatively, a flexible bag may be used. The bag is supportedby a retaining ring. The tubing or bags can be sealed by thermal fusing,an ultrasonic technique, adhesives or other sealing techniques.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,829 describes a clamping member for receiving andholding a bag during vacuum sealing. A vacuum excavation nozzle ispresent on the clamp structure for insertion in a bag held by the clamp.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0022474 A1 describes aheating element and control therefore used in a vacuum packagingappliance.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,256,968 B1 describes a horizontal vacuum packagingapparatus including a sensor system including use of an algorithmicfactor for computing the time for reaching a predetermined evacuationlevel.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,253 describes the manufacture of non-returnablepackages for e.g. milk which is frequently carried out by the conversionof web-shaped, laminated packing material to a tube, filling of the tubewith milk and sealing and forming filled packing containers of thedesired, e.g. parallelepipedic, shape. During the forming, which is doneby means of external forming devices, the contents are used as aninternal mandrel or a holder-up for the forming devices, so that thedesired shape can be achieved without creasing or other deformations.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,269 describes a vacuum sealer having three wiresthat are heated to varying degrees. Two wires are used or dedicated tosealing a plastic bag and one of the wires is used to cut the bag afterthe vacuum sealing step. The vacuum sealer is tapered downwardly, i.e.,has a low profile, for a better air flow during the vacuuming step. Aturbine with curved fins is used to increase the air flow and reduce thetime to evacuate air from the bag.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,822 describes a tapered vacuum bag sealer that canbe used to seal conventional plastic bags and to vacuum canning jars orother food containers. The rear of the sealer housing has a connectionfor a PVC tube or other flexible tube that will extend into the jar orcontainer being vacuumed to remove air therefrom. This rear connectionavoids the necessity of the housing lid being opened before the vacuumprocedure could be accomplished.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,710 B2 describes a vacuum bag sealing machine usedfor vacuuming and sealing plastic bags containing food or the liketherein so as to keep the food or the like fresh. The vacuum bag sealingmachine includes a main body consisting of a top cover and a baseconnected pivotally with the top cover; a static sealing unit includingan upper and a lower sealing strip which are disposed on the frontportion of the main body, the lower sealing strip being provided with apredetermined number of through holes; a vacuum generating unitincluding a vacuum pump and an exhaust tubule mounted on the base, thevacuum pump being communicated with the predetermined number of throughholes formed in the lower sealing strip through the exhaust tubule; anda heating and opening-sealing unit.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,719,194 B2 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2004/0134914 A1 describe a waste storage device including an inletaperture and a length of flexible tubing passing through the inletaperture from a cassette. The flexible tubing is pinched by a pair ofrollers which can have continuous surfaces or multiple paddles. Thewaste product is placed into the aperture and the rollers rotate drawingthe waste product down into the device and pinching the storage bagabove it. The operation can be manually or motor driven.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,666 B2 describes an apparatus for storing rolls ofmaterial so that a user can create individual bags from the rolls. Thedevice may store vacuum bag material suitable for filling with food andvacuum sealing. The apparatus has a support platform, a storage unit anda base for transporting two rolls of material simultaneously to thefront of the apparatus. The storage unit has two rollers for storing upto two rolls. The apparatus also has a cutting mechanism for creatingstraight edges.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0140603 A1 describes a bagsealing apparatus including a frame having a fixed bag insertion slotextending into a vacuum chamber, a heat sealer connected to the frame,and means forming a vacuum connected to the vacuum chamber. The heatsealer is for sealing a bag located in the slot.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0231294 A1 describes avacuum sealable storage bag and method in which a pad of material islocated within the storage bag and is positioned to block, trap, and/orabsorb fluid from a product to be stored within the storage bag. The padof material can include a fluid-absorbing material, and may bepositioned between an open mouth of the bag and an interior of the bagin which the product is retained.

U.S Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0044819 A1 describes anautomated sealing waste disposal apparatus using tubular material. Thewaste storage or waste disposal device or container employs tubularsealing material/flexible tubing, wherein the sealing operation of thetube about a waste load is performed mechanically, electrically andelectro-mechanically. The waste storage device has an automated operatedsealing mechanism.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0050855 A1 describes anappliance for storing articles within flexible and non-flexiblecontainers under vacuum. The appliance includes a lid adapted to definea vacuum chamber when it is moved to a closed position relative to atrough in the base of the appliance. The trough is slidably removablefrom the base of the appliance. The appliance is further adapted forconnection to vacuum sealing attachments for various containers wherebythe containers can be selectively evacuated. The appliance includes athermal sealing mechanism for sealing a flexible container as well as acutting mechanism for cutting the flexible container to a desired size.The appliance includes a control panel for selectively operating thevacuuming and sealing processes.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0050856 A1 describes avacuum packaging appliance for forming a hermetically sealed evacuatedcontainer. The appliance includes a lid adapted to define a vacuumchamber when moved to a closed position relative to a trough in thelower portion of the appliance. The trough in the lower portion of theappliance is removable from the lower portion of the appliance. Theappliance may include pneumatic latches that are used to hold the lid ina substantially fixed position relative to the lower portion of theappliance. Additionally, a single vacuum source can be used to activatethe pneumatic latches and then evacuate the vacuum chamber. Theappliance is further adapted for connection to vacuum sealingattachments for various containers whereby the containers can beselectively evacuated.

The vacuum sealer devices described above have various shortcomings.These vacuum sealer devices remove air from around food or other itemsand create a tight seal to keep the item fresh and/or to make the itemeasier to store. However, current devices are big, clumsy and difficultto use. Also, these devices do not provide an easy and efficient mannerof sealing and storing liquid or partial liquid food items. These andother shortcomings of the prior art devices are addressed by the presentinvention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a vacuum sealer for packaging, sealingand storing items and a film cartridge for a vacuum sealer. Moreparticularly, the present invention is a vacuum sealer having a centerfilling film cartridge. The invention also relates to a vacuum sealerhaving a means to feed, form, seal and cut film bags for storing items.

The vacuum sealer preferably comprises a body, a top portion, a baseportion, a film cartridge, a drive mechanism, a sealing and cuttingmechanism and a vacuum/pump mechanism. The vacuum sealer preferably hasa feed opening through a top side of and preferably in the center of thetop portion. The film cartridge is operatively positioned in the feedopening in the center of the top portion of the vacuum sealer. The filmcartridge has an opening in a top face thereof to allow for insertingitems into a formed film bag. The top face of the film cartridge isadjacent to and preferably in the same plane as the top side of the topportion of the vacuum sealer.

The film cartridge houses film for forming film bags for use in thevacuum sealer. The film cartridge may have tubular film contained in acollapsed state in a preferably doughnut-shaped film cartridge. The filmcartridge may alternatively have two film rolls which are broughttogether and sealed at the edges. The two film rolls are preferably inthe same plane and substantially parallel to each other.

In operation, a leading edge of the film is sealed as the film extendsacross and below the opening in the film cartridge. The sealed leadingedge of the film is suspended within the film cartridge and below theopening of the film cartridge, thereby providing a suspended film bag inthe vacuum sealer, which is ready to be filled. The film cartridgeprovides for the automatic feeding and forming of the film, e.g.,tubular film or film rolls, to provide the film bag by a drivemechanism.

The drive mechanism spreads and flattens the film as the film advancesfrom the film cartridge or other suitable film holder through the drivemechanism into the vacuum sealer. After forming a film bag to apredetermined size, the film bag is then filled with a predetermineditem or items. Depending on the type of item put into the film bag, thefilm may need to be cleared prior to vacuuming/inflating or prior tosealing and cutting thereof. Film clearing and compression can beautomatically provided through use of compressed air from a vacuum/pumpmechanism to move the film bag forward after filling to insure that nocontaminated film, i.e., film having fill thereon, is present in thearea to be sealed by a sealing and cutting mechanism.

After the film bag is filled, and cleared if necessary, air can inflateor draw a vacuum in the film bag by the use of a vacuum/pump mechanism.The vacuum/pump mechanism may be a reversible vacuum/pump mechanism. Thefilm bag is then ready for sealing and cutting by the sealing andcutting mechanism. Sealing and cutting of the filled film bag may beautomatically provided upon closure of a lid of the vacuum sealer and/orupon selecting a desired operation from a control mechanism on thevacuum sealer. Sealing of the film bag may be achieved by any suitablemeans.

The film used in the vacuum sealer can be any suitable film, includingsingle ply or multiple-ply. The film can optionally be pre-embossed orembossed as the film advances through the sealing and cutting mechanismor in some other position in the vacuum sealer. The embossments ensure afaster and complete vacuum to be pulled on the film bag or film bycreating pathways for air to be pulled therethrough.

As detailed herein, the vacuum sealer of the invention provides (1)feeding of film and forming a film bag; (2) movement of a film bagthrough the vacuum sealer; (3) film clearing and compression; (4)vacuuming or inflating a film bag; and (5) sealing and cutting a filmbag. Each of these functions may independently be automatic ormechanical.

To provide feeding of film and forming a film bag in the vacuum sealer,the film cartridge, which may have tubular film or film rolls, isinserted into the feed opening of the vacuum sealer. Once the filmcartridge is secured in the vacuum sealer, the film is advanced to forma film bag of a suitable size and is then filled. Then the lid of thevacuum sealer is closed in order to enclose the film cartridge with anair-tight seal.

The vacuum/pump mechanism is activated to create a vacuum in the filmbag or to blow air into and inflate the film bag depending on thedirection of the motion of the vacuum/pump mechanism. The vacuum/pumpmechanism has a vacuum port which is adjacent to the opening of the filmbag. The vacuum port may be operatively positioned on an underside ofthe lid of the vacuum sealer or near at least one side of the filmcartridge or the vacuum sealer, such as near the drive rollers or thesealing and cutting mechanism. The vacuum port may also be in any othersuitable position. Air passing through the vacuum port on the lid or onthe side of the vacuum sealer or the film cartridge can either inflatethe film bag or vacuum the air from the film bag.

When the film bag is initially being formed, air may be blown into thefilm bag to aid in forming the desired size of the film bag by pushingthe desired amount of film from the film cartridge. Also, by using airto forward the film through the vacuum sealer, the film bag issubstantially fully opened for convenient loading of the film bag by theuser. Optionally, the inside wall of the vacuum sealer may haveexpansion chambers and/or may be lined with a bag opening aidingcomponent to help keep the film bag fully opened once the air pressureis released.

The vacuum sealer also provides film clearing and compression thereof.Once the contents have been placed into the film bag, some contaminationfrom the contents, e.g., food items, may be on the film bag around thesurface of the neck of the film bag. The film bag may then be advancedagain, preferably by selecting a film advance or film clear button onthe control panel, to make sure that all contaminated film is at aposition below the sealing and cutting mechanism.

Once the film bag has been forwarded and has passed through the filmclearing and compression step, e.g., by the means of compressed air, thefilm bag may be sealed and cut. The sealing and cutting mechanism movesinto position flattening the film bag to facilitate the sealing andcutting operation. The sealing and cutting operation may occur in anysuitable manner and with any suitable mechanism. Preferred embodimentsof the sealing and cutting mechanism and methods of operation aredescribed in greater detail hereafter.

Once the filled film bag is sealed and cut, the filled film bag is thenreleased, either automatically or mechanically, into a receiving area ofthe vacuum sealer. The next film bag is then advanced through the vacuumsealer in the same manner. The movement of the film and film bag throughthe vacuum sealer may be a mechanical or an automatic movement oroperation.

The vacuum sealer of the invention preferably provides at least one ofthe following: (1) quick and convenient packaging of items, including,but not limited to, food items, liquids, fragile items and clothes; (2)containing items for long term storage; (3) quick and convenientpackaging and freezing of leftovers or other items; (4) quick andconvenient debulking and storing of items; (5) space reduction; (6) airpacking of items to provide protection thereof; and (7) aesthetic designfor convenient storage or display of the vacuum sealer. Vacuum sealingusing the vacuum sealer of the invention enables a user to: extend thefreshness of food (by up to five times longer than without vacuumsealing); eliminate freezer burn; keep moist foods from drying out;protect dry foods from moisture or from becoming hard or stale; keepfoods high in fats and oils from spoiling; marinate meat and fish inminutes; protect collectibles and other nonfood items from aging andcorrosion; protect items such as brittle snacks or collectibles by usingthe inflate mode; provide an adjustable bag size to fit desiredcontents; provide a film bag ready in the open position for filling;reduce the cost of film bag refills for the vacuum sealer; eliminate theneed for a tool to open a film bag, e.g., such as a knife or scissors;provide better and easier packaging of liquid or fluid foods; eliminatespillage of liquid from food contents; eliminate a vacuum lock on a filmbag; and/or reduce the amount of manual effort needed to use the vacuumsealer.

The vacuum sealer is designed to be aesthetically pleasing so that thevacuum sealer may be left on a countertop or in plain view by the userfor easy access thereto. The vacuum sealer may be made of any suitablematerial including plastics, metals, or any combination thereof.

The vacuum sealer is preferably operated in a vertical orientation.However, the vacuum sealer may be structured to change orientation. Byactivating or pressing a multiple orientation button, the vacuum sealermay be switched from a vertical position to a horizontal position foritems which may be more conveniently vacuum sealed in a horizontalposition. The vacuum sealer may also be able to be used in an angledposition, for example at a 45° angle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a vacuum sealer ofthe invention with a filled film bag.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vacuum sealer of FIG. 1 with anempty film bag.

FIG. 3 is a rear partial cross-sectional view of the vacuum sealer ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top cross-sectional view of the vacuum sealer of FIG. 2without a lid and showing a top of a first embodiment of a filmcartridge of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial cut-away side view of the vacuum sealer of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the filmcartridge of the vacuum sealer of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a vacuum sealerof the invention.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the vacuum sealer of FIG. 7 withouta lid and showing a top of a film cartridge.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of a vacuumsealer of the invention with an open lid.

FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of the vacuum sealer of FIG. 9 withan open lid and showing a film cartridge.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the vacuum sealer of FIG. 9 showing a secondembodiment of a film cartridge therein.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the vacuum sealer of FIG. 9 with the lidclosed.

FIG. 13 is a rear view of the vacuum sealer of FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the vacuum sealer of FIG. 9.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the vacuum sealer of FIG. 2 showinga first embodiment of a sealing and cutting mechanism, a firstembodiment of a control mechanism, and a first embodiment of a drivemechanism.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a vacuum sealer of the inventionshowing a second embodiment of a sealing and cutting mechanism, a secondembodiment of a control mechanism, and a second embodiment of a drivemechanism.

FIG. 17 is a front view of a third embodiment of a control mechanism ofa vacuum sealer of the invention.

FIG. 18 is a front view of a fourth embodiment of a control mechanism ofa vacuum sealer of the invention.

FIGS. 19-20 show top views of a sealing and cutting mechanism of thevacuum sealer of the invention in an open position and a closedposition, respectively.

FIGS. 21-24 show perspective views of the sealing and cutting mechanismof FIGS. 19-20 in operation in a field of use.

FIGS. 25-26 show perspective views of a sealing and cutting mechanism ofthe vacuum sealer of the invention in an open position and a closedposition, respectively.

FIGS. 27-28 show perspective views of the sealing and cutting mechanismof FIGS. 25-26 in operation in a field of use.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a tubular film refill for an embodimentof the film cartridge of the invention which uses tubular film.

FIGS. 30-32 show a fourth embodiment of a vacuum sealer of theinvention.

FIGS. 33-35 show a fifth embodiment of a vacuum sealer of the invention.

FIGS. 36-37 show a sixth embodiment of a vacuum sealer of the invention.

FIGS. 38-40 show a seventh embodiment of a vacuum sealer of theinvention.

FIGS. 41-43 show an eighth embodiment of a vacuum sealer of theinvention.

FIGS. 44-45 show a ninth embodiment of a vacuum sealer of the invention.

FIG. 46 shows a tenth embodiment of a vacuum sealer of the invention.

FIGS. 47-48 show an eleventh embodiment of a vacuum sealer of theinvention.

FIGS. 49-50 show a twelfth embodiment of a vacuum sealer of theinvention.

FIGS. 51-52 show a thirteenth embodiment of a vacuum sealer of theinvention.

FIG. 53 shows a fourteenth embodiment of a vacuum sealer of theinvention.

FIG. 54 shows a fifteenth embodiment of a vacuum sealer of theinvention.

FIGS. 55-56 show a sixteenth embodiment of a vacuum sealer of theinvention.

FIG. 57 shows a seventeenth embodiment of a vacuum sealer of theinvention.

FIG. 58 shows an eighteenth embodiment of a vacuum sealer of theinvention.

FIG. 59 shows a first preferred embodiment of a motor mechanism of avacuum sealer of the invention.

FIG. 60 shows a second preferred embodiment of a pump mechanism of avacuum sealer of the invention.

FIG. 61 shows a thermal seal welding closure of a film bag of theinvention.

FIG. 62 shows a zipper tape lamination closure of a film bag of theinvention.

FIG. 63 shows a vacuum film zipper closure of a film bag of theinvention.

FIGS. 64-66 show a vacuum activated male/female profile closure of afilm bag of the invention.

FIG. 67 shows a first embodiment of a film useful in a vacuum sealer ofthe invention.

FIG. 68 shows a second embodiment of a film useful in a vacuum sealer ofthe invention.

FIG. 69 shows a third embodiment of a film useful in a vacuum sealer ofthe invention.

FIG. 70 shows a fourth embodiment of a film useful in a vacuum sealer ofthe invention.

FIG. 71 shows a fifth embodiment of a film useful in a vacuum sealer ofthe invention.

FIGS. 72-73 show a means for forming oscillating rib vacuum flowchannels in the film of FIG. 71.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Vacuum Sealer in General

Referring to FIGS. 1-73, the present invention relates to a vacuumsealer 100 for packaging, sealing and storing items and a film cartridge200 for a vacuum sealer 100. More particularly, the present invention isa vacuum sealer 100 having a center filling film cartridge. Theinvention also relates to a vacuum sealer 100 having a means to feed,form, seal and cut film bags 308 for storing items.

The vacuum sealer 100 preferably comprises a body 102, a top portion104, a base portion 106, a film cartridge 200, a drive mechanism 140, asealing and cutting mechanism 170 and a vacuum/pump mechanism 180. Thevacuum sealer 100 preferably has a feed opening 108 through a top sideof and preferably in a center of the top portion 104. The film cartridge200 is operatively positioned in the feed opening 108 in the top portion104. The feed opening 108 is preferably in a center of the top portion104 of the vacuum sealer 100. The film cartridge 200 has an opening in atop face 202 thereof to allow for inserting items into a formed film bag308. The top face 202 of the film cartridge 200 is preferably adjacentto and preferably in the same plane as the top side 110 of the topportion 104 of the vacuum sealer 100.

The film cartridge 200 houses film 300 for forming film bags 308 for usein the vacuum sealer. In one embodiment, the film cartridge 200 may havetubular film 302 contained in a collapsed state in a preferablydoughnut-shaped film cartridge. In an alternative embodiment, the filmcartridge 200 may have two film rolls 304, having flat rolls of film,which are brought together and sealed at the edges prior to filling. Thetwo film rolls 304 are preferably in the same plane and substantiallyparallel to each other. However, the film rolls may be in any suitableposition. These embodiments of the film cartridge 200 with correspondingfilm 300 are described in greater detail hereafter.

In operation, a leading edge 306 of the film 300 is sealed as the film300 extends across and below the opening 204 in the film cartridge 200.The sealed leading edge of the film 300 is suspended within the filmcartridge 200 and below the opening 204 of the film cartridge 200,thereby providing a suspended film bag 308 in the vacuum sealer 100, asshown for example in FIG. 2. The film cartridge 200 provides for theautomatic feeding and forming of the film 300, e.g., tubular film 302 orfilm rolls 304, to provide a film bag 308 by a drive mechanism 140.

The drive mechanism 140 spreads and flattens the film as the filmadvances from the film cartridge 200 or other suitable film holderthrough the drive mechanism 140 into a receiving area 116 of the vacuumsealer 100. More particularly, drive rollers of the drive mechanism 140may be parallel and linear or angled to spread and flatten the film asthe film 300 advances through the drive mechanism 140. After forming afilm bag 308 to a predetermined size, the film bag 308 is then filledwith a predetermined item or items. Depending on the type of item putinto the film bag 308, the film 300 may need to be cleared prior tovacuuming/inflating or prior to sealing and cutting thereof.

Next, film clearing and compression can be automatically providedthrough use of compressed air from a vacuum/pump mechanism 180 to movethe film bag 308 forward after filling to insure that no contaminatedfilm 300, i.e., film having fill thereon, is present in the area to besealed by a sealing and cutting mechanism 170.

After the film bag 308 is filled and either before or after filmclearing and compression, air can inflate or draw a vacuum in the filmbag 308 by the use of the vacuum/pump mechanism 180. The vacuum/pumpmechanism may be a reversible vacuum/pump mechanism. The film bag 300 isthen ready for sealing and cutting by the sealing and cutting mechanism170. Sealing and cutting of the filled film bag 308 may be automaticallyprovided upon closure of a lid 112 of the vacuum sealer 100 and/or uponselecting a desired operation from a control mechanism on the filmsealer 100.

Sealing of the film bag 308 may be achieved by any suitable means. Onemeans is by thermal sealing the film bag 308. The sealing and cuttingmechanism 170, through the sealing element 172, provides heat up toabout 800° Fahrenheit (426.7° Celsius) in about 1.5 seconds to the areaof the film bag 308 to be sealed. The area is then cooled to roomtemperature in about 2 seconds. Radio frequency (RF) bonding may also beused to seal the film bag 308 rather than using heat, such as by the useof a RF adhesive system. These and other suitable sealing and cuttingmechanisms and means are described in greater detail hereafter.

The film 300 used in the vacuum sealer 100 can be any suitable film 300,including single layer or multiple layer film. The film 300 canoptionally be pre-embossed or embossed as the film advances through thesealing and cutting mechanism 170 or in some other position in thevacuum sealer 100. The embossments ensure a faster and complete vacuumto be pulled on the film bag 308 or film 300 by creating pathways forair to be pulled therethrough. Embossment of the film 300 is describedin greater detail hereafter.

The vacuum sealer 100 of the invention provides (1) feeding of film 300and forming a film bag 308; (2) movement of film 300 through the vacuumsealer 100; (3) film clearing and compression; (4) vacuuming orinflating a film bag 308; and (5) sealing and cutting a film bag 308.Each of these functions may independently be automatic or mechanical.

To provide feed and form of a film bag 308 in the vacuum sealer 100, thefilm cartridge 200, which may have tubular film 302 or film rolls 304,is inserted into the feed opening 108 of the vacuum sealer 100. The feedopening 108 of the vacuum sealer 100 is preferably cylindrical in shape.However, the feed opening 108 may be any suitable shape. Once the filmcartridge 200 is secured in the vacuum sealer 100, the film 300 isadvanced to form a film bag 308 of a suitable size and is then filled.Then a lid 112 of the vacuum sealer 100 is closed in order to enclosethe film cartridge 200 with an air-tight seal.

Then, the vacuum/pump mechanism 180 is activated to create a vacuum inthe film bag 308 or to blow air into and inflate the film bag 308depending on the direction of the motion of the vacuum/pump mechanism180. The vacuum/pump mechanism 180 has a vacuum port 182 which is nearthe opening of the film bag. In one embodiment, the vacuum port 182 maybe operatively positioned on an underside of the lid 112 of the vacuumsealer 100, such as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. In another embodiment, thevacuum port 182 is operatively positioned on or near at least one sideof the film cartridge 200 or the top portion 104 of the vacuum sealer100, such as near the drive rollers 142, the end drive rollers 143and/or the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 such as shown for examplein FIGS. 21-24. The vacuum port 182 may also be in any other suitableposition. Air passing through the vacuum port 182 in the lid 112 or onthe side of the vacuum sealer 100 or the film cartridge 200 can eitherinflate the film bag 308 or vacuum the air from the film bag 308.

When the film bag 308 is initially being formed, air may be blown intothe film bag 308 to aid in forming the desired size of the film bag 308by pushing the desired amount of film 300 from the film cartridge 200.Also, by using air to forward the film through the vacuum sealer 100,the film bag 308 is substantially fully opened for convenient loading ofthe film bag 308 by the user. Optionally, the inside wall of the vacuumsealer 100 may have expansion chambers and/or may be lined with a bagopening aiding component to help keep the film bag fully opened once theair pressure is released.

The vacuum sealer 100 also provides film clearing and compressionthereof. Once the contents have been placed into the film bag 308, somecontamination from the contents, e.g., food items, may be on the filmbag 308 around the surface of the neck of the film bag 308. The film bag308 may then be forwarded or advanced again, preferably by selecting afilm advance or film clear button on the control panel 160, to make surethat all contaminated film is at a position below the sealing andcutting mechanism 170.

Once the film bag 308 has been forwarded and has passed through the filmclearing and compression step, e.g., by the means of compressed air, thefilm bag 308 may be sealed and cut. The sealing and cutting mechanism170 moves into position flattening the film bag 308 to facilitate thesealing and cutting operation. The sealing and cutting operation mayoccur in any suitable manner and with any suitable mechanism. Preferredembodiments of the sealing and cutting mechanism and methods ofoperation are described in greater detail hereafter.

Once the film bag 308 is filled, sealed and cut, the film bag 308 isthen released, either automatically or mechanically, into a receivingarea 116 of the vacuum sealer 100. The next film bag is then advancedthrough the vacuum sealer 100 in the same manner. The movement of thefilm and film bag through the vacuum sealer 100 may be a mechanical oran automatic movement or operation.

The vacuum sealer 100 of the invention preferably provides at least oneof the following: (1) quick and convenient packaging of items,including, but not limited to, food items, liquids, fragile items andclothes; (2) containing items for long term storage; (3) quick andconvenient packaging and freezing of leftovers or other items; (4) quickand convenient debulking and storing of items; (5) space reduction; (6)air packing of items to provide protection thereof; and (7) aestheticdesign for convenient storage or display of the vacuum sealer. Vacuumsealing using the vacuum sealer 100 of the invention enables a user to:extend the freshness of food (by up to five times longer than withoutvacuum sealing); eliminate freezer burn; keep moist foods from dryingout; protect dry foods from moisture or from becoming hard or stale;keep foods high in fats and oils from spoiling; marinate meat and fishin minutes; protect collectibles and other nonfood items from aging andcorrosion; protect items such as brittle snacks or collectibles by usingthe inflate mode; provide an adjustable bag size to fit desiredcontents; provide a film bag ready in the open position for filling;reduce the cost of film bag refills for the vacuum sealer; eliminate theneed for a tool to open a film bag, e.g., such as a knife or scissors;provide better and easier packaging of liquid or fluid foods; eliminatespillage of liquid from food contents; eliminate a vacuum lock on a filmbag; and/or reduce the amount of manual effort needed to use the vacuumsealer.

The vacuum sealer 100 is preferably designed to be aestheticallypleasing so that the vacuum sealer may be left on a countertop or inplain view by the user for easy access thereto. The vacuum sealer 100may be made of any suitable material including plastics, metals, or thelike and any combination thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the film cartridge 200 is preferably a centerfilling circular film cartridge which uses tubular film 302 as describedhereafter. In this embodiment, the film cartridge 200 does not requireany prefabrication of the film bags 308, enables the film bag size to beadjusted during the filling operation, provides hands-free operation,and enables the vacuum intake, i.e., vacuum port 182, to be locatedabove the film cartridge 200 or below the top component 206 of the filmcartridge 200, but above the open end of the film bag 308.

In another preferred embodiment, the film cartridge 200 is preferably acenter filling dual roll film cartridge which uses two film rolls 304 asdescribed hereafter. The dual roll film cartridge provides lesswrinkling of the film 300, provides a better way to implement zippers,if desired, provides a final product which looks like a high-qualitybag, and enables the vacuum intake, i.e., vacuum port 182, to be locatedabove the film cartridge 200 or below the top component 206 of the filmcartridge 200, but above the open end of the film bag 308. The filmcartridge 200 will be described in greater detail hereafter.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the vacuum sealer 100 maycomprise a film housing container 220 instead of a film cartridge 200. Apreferred film housing container 220 is shown in FIGS. 36-37.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the vacuum sealer 100 maycomprise rolls of film instead of a film cartridge 200 or a film housingcontainer 220. This embodiment is described in more detail hereafter.

The vacuum sealer 100 of the invention may have various shapes anddesigns including, but not limited to, those embodiments shown forexample in FIGS. 1-5, 7-14, 30-39, and 41-58. These and otherembodiments are within the scope of the invention as described herein.

Drive Mechanism

The drive mechanism 140 primarily functions to feed the film 300 andadvance the film bag 308 through the vacuum sealer 100. As shown inFIGS. 5, 15 and 16, the drive mechanism 140 preferably comprises driverollers 142 and/or end drive rollers 143, a drive roller latch 144, anda motorized drive 146 having two vertical side members 148 and a drivebase 150.

The drive rollers 142 are preferably operatively positioned downstreamfrom the film. The drive rollers 142 may be operatively positioned inthe film cartridge 200 or in the top portion 104 or in the body 102 ofthe vacuum sealer 100. The drive rollers 142 are operatively positionedalong the sides of the opening of the film cartridge 200 or the openingof the vacuum sealer 100 lengthwise therein. However, the drive rollers142 may be in any other suitable position. A drive roller latch 144 maybe preferably used to aid in installing the film 300 into the driverollers 142 by separating the drive rollers 142 or end drive rollers 143by a predetermined distance. The end of the film is placed between thetwo drive rollers 142 and/or the end drive rollers 143 on each side ofthe film cartridge or vacuum sealer. The drive roller latch 144 may beclosed to pinch the film again once the film is fed through the driverollers 142 or the end drive rollers 143. The drive roller latch 144 andthe drive rollers 142 and/or the end drive rollers 143 preferablyoperate similarly to an arm on a typewriter opening rollers to feed apiece of paper in a typewriter.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 8-11, 15-16, 21 and 23-24, two end drive rollers143 are operatively positioned on each end in the top portion 104 of thevacuum sealer 100 or in the top component 206 of the film cartridge 200at each end of the film cartridge 200 adjacent the opening of the filmcartridge or vacuum sealer. The leading edge of the film is placedbetween the end drive rollers 143 such that the side edges of the filmare in contact with the end drive rollers 143 to aid the film inadvancing through the vacuum sealer 100.

The motorized drive 146 is preferably provided for moving the driverollers 142 and, thus, the film 300. As shown in FIGS. 6, 15 and 16, themotorized drive 146 comprises two vertical side members 148 which aresubstantially parallel and are operatively connected to each other at alower end by a drive base 150. A top end of each vertical member 148 isoperatively connected to drive the drive rollers 142 and/or end driverollers 143. The drive base 150 is also operatively connected to a motor184 or other power source to drive the drive mechanism. In a preferredembodiment, the motorized drive 146 is preferably an O-ring drive asshown in FIGS. 6, 15 and 16.

The drive rollers 142 may be angled in order to angle the sealedadvancement of the film and thereby eliminate wrinkles from the film300, thereby making the film flatter and thus easier to handle andadvance during operation.

The drive mechanism 140 is preferably a component of the film cartridge200. However, the drive mechanism 140 or any component thereof may be acomponent of the vacuum sealer 100 and not a component of the filmcartridge 200.

Sealing and Cutting Mechanism

In the vacuum sealer 100, the sealing and cutting mechanism 170preferably simultaneously seals the top of a filled film bag, cuts thesealed film bag and seals the bottom of the next film bag. The sealingand cutting mechanism 170 may preferably only be operated when the lid112 of the vacuum sealer 100 is closed. This functioning providesenhanced safety to the user. The closing of the lid 112 is preferablyindicated by a lid position sensor 114, which is preferably located onthe top side 110 of the top portion 104 of the vacuum sealer 100, suchas shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. However, any suitable lid positionindicator may be used in any suitable position.

A preferred embodiment of a general orientation of a sealing and cuttingmechanism 170 of the vacuum sealer 100 is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 incross-sectional views. In general, the sealing and cutting mechanism 170includes two sealing elements 172 being operatively positionedsubstantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular tothe direction of the advance of the film bag 308. A cutting element 174is operatively positioned substantially parallel to and between the twosealing elements 172. The cutting element 174 and the sealing elements172 are preferably in the same plane.

Embodiments of the sealing elements and cutting element are shown forexample in FIGS. 15, 16, and 19-28. More particularly, a preferredembodiment of a sealing and cutting mechanism 170 is shown in FIGS.19-24. FIGS. 19, 21 and 23 show this embodiment of the sealing andcutting mechanism 170 in an open position and FIGS. 20, 22 and 24 showthe sealing and cutting mechanism 170 in a closed position. The sealingand cutting mechanism 170 preferably includes two sealing and cuttingmembers 171. Each sealing and cutting member 171 includes two sealingelements 172 operatively positioned substantially parallel to each otherand a cutting element 174 operatively positioned substantially parallelto, between and in the same plane as the sealing elements 172. Thesealing elements 172 and cutting element 174 are preferably operativelypositioned on a first side of each sealing and cutting member 171. Thesealing and cutting members 171 from an opening therebetween when in theopen position, as shown for example in FIGS. 19, 21 and 23. The sealingand cutting members 171 push the film together to facilitate sealing andcutting of the film bag 308. In the closed position, the sealing andcutting members 171 are in substantially the same alignment and adjacentto each other, such as shown for example in FIGS. 20, 22, and 24.

In this embodiment, the sealing and cutting members 171 are preferablycrescent shaped sealing and cutting members 171. The sealing and cuttingmembers 171 are operatively positioned such that the crescent shape ofeach sealing and cutting member 171 is in an outwardly facing positionin the open position and the outwardly extending portions of thecrescent shaped bars are substantially opposite facing one another. Inorder to facilitate sealing and cutting, one sealing and cutting member171 pivots so that the crescent shape of the sealing and cutting members171 are in alignment and facing the same direction prior to being in theclosed position, such as when the sealing and cutting members 171 aremoving together into the closed position, and thereby pushing the filmtogether. Once the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 is in the closedposition or almost in the closed position, any desired vacuuming orinflation of air occurs by the vacuum/pump mechanism 180 via the vacuumport 182. The vacuum port may be operatively positioned in the undersideof the lid 112, such as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, or at one or both ofthe ends of the sealing and cutting members 171, such as shown in FIGS.21-24. The vacuum port 182 and the vacuum/pump mechanism 180 aredescribed in greater detail herein. The film bag 308 is then sealed andcut. After sealing and cutting, the sealing and cutting member thatpivoted will again pivot to its initial position so that the sealing andcutting members 171 will be in the open position. However, the sealingand cutting members 171 may operate in any suitable manner to move fromthe open position to the closed position and back to the open positionduring operation of the sealing and cutting mechanism 170.

Another embodiment of the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 is shown inFIGS. 25-28. In this embodiment, the sealing and cutting mechanism 170preferably comprises two crescent shaped sealing and cutting members171, i.e., bars, each having an outwardly extending portion facing awayfrom each other such as shown in FIG. 25. Each sealing and cuttingmember 171 has two sealing elements 172 and a cutting element 174operatively positioned adjacent to and between the sealing elements 172.More particularly, the sealing elements 172 and the cutting element 174are preferably parallel to each other and operatively positionedsubstantially adjacent to each other with the cutting element 174operatively positioned between the sealing elements 172 in a similarmanner as detailed above. The sealing and cutting members 171 are alsopreferably operatively positioned substantially perpendicular to thedirection of the advance of the film 300.

In this embodiment, the sealing and cutting members 171 facilitatesealing and cutting by being moved from the open position, as shown inFIGS. 25 and 27 to the closed position, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 28. Tofacilitate closing and re-opening, each end portion 176 of the sealingand cutting mechanism is moved outwardly away and in an oppositedirection from each other, as indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 25 and26, thereby straightening the crescent shaped sealing and cuttingmembers 171 such that each sealing and cutting member 171 is in a linearorientation and parallel to and in close proximity to the other sealingand cutting member, thereby eliminating the opening therebetween, suchas shown in FIG. 26. This embodiment is preferably used with a filmcartridge 200 having tubular film 302 and with a vacuum port 182 locatedin the lid 112 of the vacuum sealer 100. However, this embodiment of thesealing and cutting mechanism 170 may be used with a film cartridge 200having film rolls 304 or with the vacuum sealer 100 having individualrolls of film instead of a film cartridge 200.

In operation, this embodiment of the sealing and cutting mechanism 170seals and cuts the film bags 308 into separate film bags, such as shownin FIGS. 27 and 28.

Sealing and cutting of the film bag 308 may be achieved by thermalheating. One type of thermal heating is Athalite™ technology for lowvoltage film bag sealing and cutting. Generally, Athalite™ technologycan generate temperatures over 800° Fahrenheit (426.7° Celsius) in lessthan 2 seconds. Once the current is released, the system returns to roomtemperature in less than 2 seconds. More particularly, the sealing andcutting mechanism may use Athalite™ technology in combination with afoil strip for a heating element.

More particularly, Athalite™ technology is ColdHeat™ technology whichhas several proprietary components: (1) an unconventional resistivematerial named Athalite™, which has physical properties that allow it tocreate heat from a low source power supply, (2) innovative mechanicaldesigns that minimize thermal mass and increase heat flow, and (3)electronic controls that efficiently manage the limited power source foroptimal operation. By applying this ColdHeat™ technology to a variety ofapplications, products take on unique rapid heating, quick cooling andlow power consumption properties that make these tools easier to use,safer and more efficient. The unique chemical and physical properties ofAthalite™ deliver significant heating potential. With the ability toreach temperatures exceeding 800° Fahrenheit in mere seconds, Athalite™cools down just as quickly.

In addition, Athalite™ is a highly malleable material and can be milledinto multiple form factors, thus permitting the innovative design of abroad array of products. Using Athalite™ technology, the heating elementis able to heat up to 800° Fahrenheit (426.7° Celsius) in about 1.5seconds and can cool to room temperature in about 2 seconds. Forexample, three strips of Athalite™ are in parallel arrangement, bysetting the three strips to operate at different voltages, the outer twoAthalite™ strips, i.e., the sealing elements 172, can be set to achievea sealing temperature and the middle Athalite™ strip, i.e., the cuttingelement 174, can be set to achieve a melt through or cuttingtemperature. Each sealing and cutting cycle could effectively seal andcut off the top of a filled film bag 308 while forming the bottom sealof the next film bag.

Sealing and cutting of the film bags 308 may also be achieved by the useof RF bonding technology. In using RF bonding technology, the open endsof the film bags may be sealed. One example of RF bonding technology isa Codaco RF system which is a combination of RF seal-generatingequipment and an RF active adhesive. In this embodiment, a small RFseal-generating system is placed in the vacuum sealer 100 and anadhesive is placed on the open ends of the film 300 that need to besealed, i.e., the top of the filled film bag and the bottom of the nextfilm bag. The adhesive is inserted and then treated by the RF bonding toprovide the seal, i.e., by the sealing elements 172. The cutting element174 also substantially simultaneously cuts the film between the twoseals, i.e., between the seal of the top of the filled film bag and theseal of the bottom of the next film bag.

While preferred embodiments of the arrangement and types of sealing andcutting mechanisms have been detailed above, the sealing and cuttingmechanism 170 of the vacuum sealer 100 may be any suitable sealing andcutting mechanism having any suitable arrangement and using any suitabletechnology type. Additionally, the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 maybe a component of the film cartridge 200 or a component of the vacuumsealer 100.

Film Cartridge

The film cartridge 200 has been described generally above. Moreparticularly, as shown for example in FIG. 6, the film cartridge 200includes a top component 206, a film holder 208, a drive mechanism 140and a sealing and cutting mechanism 170. The novel arrangement of thefilm cartridge 200 described herein is significantly advantageous inthat it provides for ease of use by a consumer since the film forforming the bags is present and the film cartridge 200 need be simplyinserted without any threading or other insertion operation by the user.Accordingly, the film cartridge 200 ensures correct insertion,eliminates the chances of wrong insertion and thus, ineffective bagformation and/or sealing.

The film cartridge 200 may optionally be a replaceable and/or disposablecomponent such that a new film cartridge will be inserted into thevacuum sealer 100 whenever additional film is needed. Also, the filmcartridge 200 can be designed to be inserted into any suitable vacuumsealers, including prior art vacuum sealers and future designed vacuumsealers.

In order to lower manufacturing costs and/or to provide for easiermanufacturing of a replaceable and/or disposable film cartridge 200, thefilm cartridge 200 may include the top component 206 and the film holder208, while the drive mechanism 140, the sealing and cutting mechanism170 and/or components thereof may be separate from the film cartridge200 and be in the vacuum sealer 100 since the drive mechanism 140, thesealing and cutting mechanism 170 and/or components thereof preferablyhave a longer functioning life than the life of the film 300. In thisembodiment, multiple replacement film may be utilized in the vacuumsealer 100 without having to incur the costs to replace the drivemechanism 140, the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 and/or componentsthereof. The novel arrangement of the film cartridge 200 and functioningof the components in relation to each other is the same or substantiallysimilar whether the drive mechanism 140, the sealing and cuttingmechanism 170 and/or components thereof are in the film cartridge 200 orstructured in the body of the vacuum sealer 100. Accordingly, thedescription of the functioning of these components described hereincorrespond to the arrangement of the component in either location unlessspecified otherwise.

Preferred embodiments of the drive mechanism 140 and the sealing andcutting mechanism 170 have been described in detail above. Theseembodiments of the drive mechanism 140 and the sealing and cuttingmechanism 170 function in the same or similar manner and have the sameor similar or corresponding components whether they are a part of thefilm cartridge 200 or separate therefrom and a part of the vacuum sealer100.

In a preferred embodiment, the top component 206 of the film cartridge200 has a top face 202 with an opening 204 therethrough. The opening 204is preferably centrally located. The film 300 is preferably operativelypositioned below the top face 202 of the film cartridge 200 in a filmholder 208. More particularly, the film 300 is preferably a tubular film302 as shown for example in FIGS. 4 and 29 in a collapsed state in afilm holder 208, which is a tubular film holder 210, as shown forexample in FIGS. 4 and 15, or two film rolls 304 as shown for example inFIGS. 21-22 and 23-24 in a film holder 208, which is a roll film holder212, as shown for example in FIGS. 10, 11, and 16. More particularly, afilm roll 304 is operatively positioned in a roll film holder 212 oneach side of the opening 204 of the film cartridge 200 along the lengthof the top component 206 and below the top face 202 of the filmcartridge 200.

The film 300, e.g., the film roll 304 in each roll film holder 212 orthe tubular film 302 in the tubular film holder 208, extends through thedrive rollers 142 and/or end drive rollers 143 in the drive mechanism140 as detailed above in the description of the drive mechanism. Theplacement of the film 300 through the drive rollers 142 and/or end driverollers 143 is preferably provided by aid of the manual drive rollerlatch 144. The motorized drive 146 is preferably provided for moving thedrive rollers 142 and/or the end drive rollers 143 and, thus, the film300. As shown in FIGS. 6, 15 and 16, the motorized drive 146 comprisestwo vertical side members 148 which are substantially parallel andoperatively connected to each other at a lower end by a drive base 150as described above. A top end of each vertical side member 148 isoperatively connected to drive the drive rollers 142 and/or end driverollers 143. The drive base 150 is also operatively connected to a motor184 or power source to drive the drive mechanism 140. In a preferredembodiment, the motorized drive 146 is preferably an O-ring drivemechanism as shown in FIGS. 6, 15 and 16.

The film cartridge 200 of the vacuum sealer 100 supplies the film 300,in either pre-made film bag form, i.e., tubular film 302, or on separaterolls, i.e., film rolls 304, which must be sealed along the sides priorto filling. The sides of the film rolls can be sealed in any suitablemanner and by any suitable means.

The film cartridge 200 allows for the presentation of the film bag 308in its open form, making it easier for the user to fill the film bag 308with food or other items.

The film cartridge 200 may also optionally include an end-of-filmindicator and a reclosable film means in the film cartridge.Alternatively, the end-of-film indicator may be located in the vacuumsealer 100 or on the film 300. The end-of-film indicator alerts the userthat the film 300 is coming to an end and additional or replacement film300 will need to be inserted into the film cartridge 200 in due course.For example, the end-of-film indicator may be a color or other symbolindicator on the film 300, such as a color stripe on the film. Also forexample, the end-of-film indicator may be a signal indicator given offby the vacuum sealer 100 or the film cartridge 200 such as, but notlimited to, a light or sound indicator. However, any suitableend-of-film indicator may be used in the invention.

The film cartridge 200 or vacuum sealer 100 may also preferably have areclosable film means/feature in the film 300 in the film cartridge 200.

The film cartridge 200 preferably has an asymmetrical (non-symmetrical)shape that only permits the film cartridge 200 to be installed into thevacuum sealer 100 in one position, thus, automatically providing properalignment in the vacuum sealer 100. This geometry of the film cartridge200 enables a user to easily orient the film cartridge 200 in thecorrect position in the vacuum sealer 100 and will align a closure ofthe film bag 308, e.g., tear-strip or zipper profile, if used, in thevacuum sealer 100. The quality of the seal of the film bag 308 willdepend on the accuracy of the position of the closure of the film bag308 profiles or tear-strips relative to the sealing elements 172.

FIG. 23 shows a tubular film replacement for a film cartridge 200 havingtubular film.

Control Panel

The vacuum sealer 100 also includes a control panel 160 which enables auser to control the vacuum sealer 100 by selecting and controllingvarious functions including: (1) the start/stop of the vacuum sealer100, (2) the inflation and the degree of inflation of the film bag 308,(3) the vacuuming and the degree of vacuuming the film bag 308, (4) theadvancing of the film bag 308 and/or clearing of the film bag 308, (5)monitoring the degree of a vacuum or inflation of the film bag 308 untilcompletion, (6) the sealing and cutting of the film bag 308 and (7) anyother suitable function of the vacuum sealer 100.

The control panel 160 of the vacuum sealer 100 preferably includes, butis not limited to, the specific control mechanisms for operating andcontrolling the functions of the vacuum sealer 100. More particularly,the control panel 160 preferably includes at least a means forinitiating starting and stopping, i.e., power, of the vacuum sealer 100;a means for initiating and controlling vacuuming and/or inflating afilled film bag 308; a means for initiating and controlling theadvancement and/or clearing of the film bag 308; and a means forinitiating and controlling the sealing and cutting of a filled film bag308. For example, the control panel 160 may include the followingfunction controls in the form of a button, lever, switch, scroll pad, orother suitable control: a power control 161 which may be a start control161 a and a stop control 161 b or a combination start/stop control 161c; a seal/cut control 162; at least one inflate control 163; and atleast one vacuum control 164. The control panel 160 may also optionallyinclude a film advance control 165 and/or a clear film control 166.

The power control 161 starts and stops the vacuum sealer 100. Theseal/cut control 162 initiates and controls the sealing and cutting ofthe film bag 308 in either one step or multiple steps. The seal/cutcontrol 162 preferably does not provide any inflation or vacuuming ofthe film bag 308. The inflate control 163 may be one control or multiplecontrols. The inflate control 163 may provide any suitable predeterminedinflation percentage to the film bag including, but not limited to, 100%and 50%, or the inflate control 163 may provide a predetermined range ofinflation percentages. The vacuum control 164 may be one control ormultiple controls. The vacuum control 164 may provide any suitablepredetermined vacuum percentage to the film bag including, but notlimited to, 25%, 45%, 75% and 100%. In another embodiment, thepredetermined vacuum percentage of the film bag includes, but is notlimited to, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%. In another embodiment, thevacuum control 164 may provide a predetermined range of vacuumpercentages. The film advance control 165 and/or the clear film control166 provides advancement or clearing of the film bag 308. Preferredembodiments of the control panel 160 as detailed above are shown forexample in FIGS. 15 and 16.

In another preferred embodiment, such as shown for example in FIG. 17,the control panel 160 is a combination control including a power control161, a film advance control 165, a seal/cut control 162, an inflatecontrol 163, and a vacuum control 164. This embodiment of the controlpanel having a combination control mechanism has the power control 161operatively positioned in substantially the center of the combinationcontrol mechanism. The power control 161 initiates and controls thestarting and stopping operation of the vacuum sealer 100. The filmadvance control 165 and the cut/seal control 162 are operativelypositioned adjacent the power control 160 as a larger button surroundingthe power control 161 button. The film advance control 165 in thecombination control mechanism provides advancement of the film bag. Forexample, by pressing the film advance control 165 adjacent a first sideof the power control 160 button, the film bag 308 advances continuallyunder a user's finger pressure until the pressure is released or untilthe bottom of the film bag 308 reaches a set maximum volume point. Thecombination control mechanism also preferably has a scroll dial aroundthe film advance control 165 button and the cut/seal control 162 button.The scroll dial includes the inflate control 163 and the vacuum control164. A user can scroll his/her finger around the scroll dial to set theamount or percentage of inflation or vacuum desired for the film bag. Auser can seal and cut the film bag 308 by pressing the seal/cut control162 button adjacent a second side of the power control 160 button. Bypressing the seal/cut control 162, the top of the filled film bag issealed and cut and the bottom of the next film bag is sealed as detailedherein.

LED lights may preferably be illuminated to indicate the choseninflation or vacuum percentage setting in any embodiment of the controlmechanism or control panel. The functioning of the LED lights aredescribed in more detail hereafter.

In another preferred embodiment, the vacuum sealer 100 may have acombination control mechanism as shown for example in FIG. 18, whichpreferably includes a film advance control 165 button, a seal/cutcontrol 162 button, and a positive and negative air control button whichincludes an inflate control 163 and a vacuum control 164 button. Thecontrol buttons preferably form a diamond shape. However, the controlbuttons may be arranged in any suitable manner. By pressing the filmadvance control 165 button, the film bag 308 continually advances untilthe user releases his/her finger pressure from the film advance control165 button or until the film bag 308 reaches a set maximum volume point.The user then presses and holds down the positive or negative aircontrol button to control the amount of air either added to or removedfrom the film bag 308 after the film bag 308 has been filled with thedesired contents. Once the film bag is filled, the film advance control165 button is pressed and the film bag 308 is advanced until the sealingand cutting area is clean. The film bag 308 is then sealed and cut bythe user pressing the seal/cut control 162 button. The components andfunctioning of sealing and cutting mechanism 170 of the vacuum sealer100 are described in greater detail herein.

Lid

The vacuum sealer 100 also preferably comprises a lid 112. The lid 112of the vacuum sealer 100 may be operatively connected to the top portion104 of the vacuum sealer 100 by any suitable means. For example, theopening of the lid 112 of the vacuum sealer 100 may be by a hingemechanism such as shown for example in FIGS. 9-11, 15, 16, 36, 37, and42, by a slide mechanism such as shown for example in FIGS. 31 and 35,or by any other suitable mechanism. The lid 112 keeps the contents ofthe film bag 30 from coming out of the vacuum sealer 100 duringoperation. The lid 112 also preferably allows for activation of thevacuum sealer 100 when the lid 112 activates a lid position sensor 114which is preferably located on the top side 110 of the top portion 104of the vacuum sealer 100. The lid 112 also ensures an air-tight sealaround the opening of the film cartridge 200 and/or the opening in thetop portion 104 of the vacuum sealer 100.

Vacuum/Pump Mechanism

The vacuum/pump mechanism 180 of the vacuum sealer 100 may be anysuitable vacuum/pump mechanism. The vacuum/pump mechanism 180 preferablycomprises a motor 184, a pump 186, a compressor 188, a pressuretransmitter 190, a vacuum/pressure select solenoid valve 192, and avacuum port 182 as shown for example in FIGS. 15 and 16. The motor 184provides power to and drives the vacuum/pump mechanism and the drivemechanism 140. The pump 186 and the compressor 188 work in conjunctionto provide air into the film bag 308 to inflate the film bag or toremove air from the film bag 308 to provide vacuuming to the film bag308. The pressure transmitter 190 is operatively connected to the pump186 and transmits and monitors the air pressure going into the film bag308 or being removed from the film bag 308. The vacuum/pressure selectsolenoid valve 192 is operatively connected to the pump 186 and selectsand controls the air pressure going into the film bag 308 or beingremoved from the film bag 308.

A preferred embodiment of a motor mechanism 184 is shown in FIG. 59. Themotor mechanism 184 provides forward rotation at the drive of the drivemechanism 140 so that the film 300 is advanced from the film holder 208through the vacuum sealer 100. The motor mechanism 184 also drives thevacuum/pump mechanism, thereby powering the vacuum pressure selectsolenoid valve 192.

A preferred embodiment of a pump mechanism 186 is shown in FIG. 60. Thepump mechanism 186 controls the air pressure going into or being removedfrom the film bag 308 as determined by the vacuum pressure selectsolenoid valve 192.

Vacuum Port

The vacuum port 182 is the component which extends into or near theopening of the film bag 308 to add air thereto or remove air therefrom.The vacuum port 182 is preferably operatively positioned on an undersideof the lid 112, such as shown for example in FIGS. 15, 16, and 37. FIGS.21-24 show a second embodiment of a vacuum port 182 of the vacuum sealer100. In this embodiment, the vacuum port 182 is operatively positionednear at least one end of the sealing and cutting mechanism 170. Moreparticularly, FIGS. 23 and 24 show a vacuum port 182 operativelypositioned at one end of the sealing and cutting mechanism 170. FIGS. 21and 22 show a vacuum port operatively positioned at each end of thesealing and cutting mechanism 170. Once the desired contents are placedinto the film bag, air is removed from or put into the film bag 308. Thefilm bag 308 is then sealed and cut by the sealing and cutting mechanism170 as described herein or in any suitable manner.

In an alternative embodiment, an external vacuum port 182 a may belocated on an external side of the body 102 of the vacuum sealer 100,such as shown in FIGS. 38-40. The external vacuum port 182 a may be usedin a similar manner as vacuum port 182 to remove air from or add air toa film bag 308 or a film housing container 220 as shown for example inFIGS. 38-40.

Operation

The user may operate the vacuum sealer 100 by installing the filmcartridge 200 (or rolls of film if no film cartridge is used). The filmcartridge 200 may contain tubular film 302 or two film rolls 304 asdescribed above. The lid 112 is opened and the film cartridge 300 (orthe rolls of film if no film cartridge is used) is placed into theopening 108, e.g., feed opening or filling chute, of the vacuum sealer100. If a film cartridge 200 is used, the film cartridge 200 is alignedin the opening 108, preferably in a predetermined manner.

If individual rolls of film are used, the rolls of film are placed intofilm holders, such as cylindrical troughs, on either side of the opening108 in the top portion 104 of the film sealer 100.

In one embodiment, the film on the rolls of film may be one continuouspiece of film with a fold in the center thereof. To make the individualrolls of film, a total length of film could be wound on a first rollerand then the free end of the film would contact an empty core. Abouthalf of the film could then be rewound back onto a second roller. A usercould then insert the two cores of the film into the cylindrical troughsand feed the joined piece of film down through the drive rollers 142and/or end drive rollers 143. In order for the film to be open aroundthe opening 108 in the top side 110 of the film sealer 100, a pleatedfilm gathering technology may be used to allow a film bag to billowbetween fixed end points to provide a wide open mouth of the film bag.The core could have corrugation in its circumference to pre-pleat thefilm during the winding operation.

In an embodiment having a film cartridge 200 having two film rolls 304,the two film rolls 304 are preferably held in a parallel fashion oneither side of the opening 204 in and under the top face 202 of the topcomponent 206 of the film cartridge 200. The leading edge 306 of bothfilm rolls 304 are inserted through the drive rollers 142 and/or the enddrive rollers 143 of the drive mechanism 140 and joined and sealedtogether to form the bottom of the first film bag 308 as detailedhereafter. The side edges of the film rolls 304 are also sealed in asuitable manner. Additionally, adhesive may be provided along the sideedges of the film 300 to provide side seals or the side edges may besealed by thermal technology or any other suitable technology. Areclosable adhesive may optionally be provided on one side of the filmbag to provide a means to open and close the film bag 308.

In an embodiment having a film cartridge 200 having tubular film 302,the tubular film 302 is contained in a collapsed state in the filmcartridge 200. An example of tubular film 302 is shown in FIG. 29. Thetubular film 302 is then inserted through the drive rollers 142 and/orend drive rollers 143 of the drive mechanism 140 and the leading edge306 thereof is sealed together to form the bottom of the first film bag308 as detailed hereafter.

Next, the first film bag 308 is advanced from the film cartridge 200 orfrom the individual rolls and is pushed downward through the center ofthe film sealer 100 until the bottom of the film bag can be seen in thereceiving area 116. This may be achieved mechanically or automaticallyby the user pushing a film advance control 165 on the control panel 160to advance the film bag slightly to ensure that the film is locked intothe mechanism.

More particularly, to form the film bag 308, the film is fed through thedrive rollers 142 and/or end drive rollers 143. The drive rollers 142are operatively positioned downstream from the film. The drive rollers142 and/or end drive rollers 143 may be operatively positioned in thefilm cartridge 200 or in the top portion 104 or in the body 102 of thevacuum sealer 100 as detailed above. A drive roller latch 144 may bepreferably used to aid in installing the film into the drive rollers 142and/or end drive rollers 143 by separating the drive rollers 142 and/orend drive rollers 143 by a predetermined distance. The end of the filmis placed between the two drive rollers 142 and/or end drive rollers 143on each side of the film cartridge or vacuum sealer. The drive rollerlatch 144 may be closed to pinch the film again once the film is fedthrough the drive rollers 142 and/or end drive rollers 143. The driveroller latch 144 and the drive rollers 142 and/or end drive rollers 143preferably operate similarly to an arm on a typewriter opening rollersto feed a piece of paper in a typewriter. In another embodiment, theedges of the film may have profiles which can be guided into slots onthe drive rollers 142 in order to advance the film.

More particularly, as shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 8-11, 15-16, 21 and 23-24,the two end drive rollers 143 are operatively positioned on each end inthe top portion 104 of the vacuum sealer 100 or in the top component 206of the film cartridge 200 at each end of the film cartridge 200 adjacentthe opening of the film cartridge or vacuum sealer. The leading edge ofthe film is placed between the end drive rollers 143 such that the sideedges of the film are in contact with the end drive rollers 143 to aidthe film in advancing through the vacuum sealer 100.

The leading edge of the first film bag is then sealed as describedherein. The film advance control 165 is then operated in order toforward the film until the desired size of the film bag 308 is reached.The position of the vacuum sealer 100 may then be determined. While thepreferred embodiment is for the vacuum sealer 100 to be in a verticalorientation, a multiple orientation control 118 may be operated in orderto change the vacuum sealer 100 among a vertical orientation, ahorizontal orientation or an angled orientation. The multipleorientation control 118 may be located in any suitable position on thevacuum sealer 100, but is preferably operatively positioned near thebase portion 106 of the vacuum sealer 100, such as shown for example inFIGS. 15 and 16. When the multiple orientation control 118 is operated,the body 102 of the vacuum sealer 100 may be adjusted between avertical, horizontal, or angled orientation. The vertical orientation ismore convenient for using with most storage items, especially liquiditems. However, the horizontal orientation enables packaging and sealingof longer items or for items that are easier to load in a horizontalorientation.

In an alternative embodiment, the vacuum sealer 100 may be able to bepositioned in an angled orientation. When the multiple orientationcontrol 118 is operated, the body 102 of the vacuum sealer 100 is angledto a predetermined degree, e.g., forty-five degrees, and set in positionto provide easier filling of items that are desired to be loaded in ahorizontal orientation, but may need to prevent any spillage thereof.This orientation may also be achieved by pivoting the whole vacuumsealer, using a low pivot point on the vacuum sealer, using a high pivotpoint on the vacuum sealer or removing a top of the vacuum sealer.

The film bag 308 is then ready to be filled with the desired contents.The film bag 308 is filled to a desired level. If a larger film bag 300is needed than what has been initially predetermined prior to filling,the film advance control 165 may be operated to advance the film andincrease the size of the film bag 308. The film may also be advanced sothat the film in the sealing area is clear.

In one embodiment, the vacuum sealer 100 may be preprogrammed such thatthe film is automatically forwarded following the filling of the filmbag 308 to prevent contamination of the vacuum sealer equipment or thenext film bag. In a preferred embodiment, the lid 112 of the vacuumsealer 100 may not be able to close until contaminated film has beenforwarded.

Rollers may be located on the sides of the vacuum sealer to limitcontamination of the vacuum sealer and contamination of the next filmbag. The sealing and cutting mechanism 170 is also operatively locatednear the top of the vacuum sealer to reduce the amount of film used whenadvancing the film bag, such as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.

Once the film bag is filled and the film is cleared, if necessary, thedesired operation is then selected from the control panel 160 or controlmechanism. The desired operations preferably include inflate, seal orvacuuming the film bag. While inflate, seal and vacuum are usedthroughout the description, any suitable nomenclature may be used torepresent these functions. Also, any other suitable functions may beperformed by the vacuum sealer.

Vacuuming is for vacuum storage of items. Total vacuum of the film bag308 is possible, as well as partial vacuuming. Partial vacuuming isuseful if the contents of the film bag are fragile. To vacuum, thevacuum control 164 having a desired predetermined vacuum percentage isselected from the control panel 160 or control mechanisms. For example,the predetermined vacuum percentages may include 25%, 45%, 75% and 100%.In another example, the desired predetermined vacuum percentages mayinclude 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%. Any suitable vacuum percentages maybe predetermined. Preferred embodiments of a control panel having vacuumcontrol 164 are shown for example in FIGS. 15 and 16. Other controlpanels/mechanisms for providing a vacuum control 164 for providing apredetermined vacuuming percentage to the film bag 308 are shown forexample in FIGS. 17 and 18 and have been described above.

To inflate a film bag, the inflate control 163 having a predeterminedinflation percentage is selected from the control panel 160 or controlmechanism. For example, predetermined inflation percentages may include50% and 100%. Any suitable predetermined inflation percentages may bepredetermined. Preferred embodiments of a control panel 160 havinginflate control 163 are shown for example in FIGS. 15 and 16. Othercontrol panels/mechanisms for providing an inflate control 163 forproviding a predetermined inflation percentage to the film bag 308 areshown for example in FIGS. 17 and 18. Inflating film bags is useful, forexample, for protecting the contents of the film bag.

For packaging an item without providing vacuuming or inflation to thefilm bag 308, zero percent (0%) inflation and zero percent (0%) vacuumwould be set. Then, a seal/cut control 162 may be selected from thecontrol panel 160. Preferred embodiments of a control panel 160 having aseal/cut control 160 are shown for example in FIGS. 15 and 16.Alternative embodiments of the control panel 160 having a seal/cutcontrol 162 are shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. In these embodiments, the airpercentage would be set to zero percent (0%) to provide sealing of thefilm bag 308 without vacuuming or inflation thereof.

The film bag 308 may be further or optionally advanced at this stage, ifnecessary or desired, by selecting the film advance control 165 or aclear film control 166 in order to advance any contaminated film forwardbefore sealing and cutting.

Next, the lid 112 of the vacuum sealer is closed. A lid closing latch115 locks around the lid 112 to hold the lid 112 in place and is lockedin place by a lid lock 113. Latching of the lid 112 depresses a lidposition sensor 114 which allows the vacuum sealer to operate. The lidclosing latch 115 is operatively positioned on the top portion 104 ofthe vacuum sealer 100 and adjacent to or near the lid 112 such as shownin FIGS. 15 and 16. In locking the lid 112, the lid closing latch 115ensures a good seal of the vacuum port 182 over an open film bag 308.The lid closing latch 115 can also be locked down to maintain the sealand to eliminate the need for manually holding down the lid 112. Inpreferred embodiments, the lid 112 must be latched for the vacuum/pumpmechanism 180 to start. If the lid closing latch 115 is opened duringthe operation of the vacuum sealer 100, the lid position sensor 114 willdisengage and may shut down the vacuum sealer 100.

The lid position sensor 114 is also preferably operatively positioned onthe top side 110 of the top portion 104 of the vacuum sealer 100, suchthat the lid 112 comes in contact with the lid position sensor 114 whenthe lid 112 is closed. The lid position sensor 114 indicates that thelid 112 is locked down and enables the vacuum sealer 100 to operate andto ensure safety of the user. Specifically, the motor 184, the pump 186and the compressor 188, which may preferably be a dual head miniaturediaphragm pumping compressor, in conjunction with a vacuum/pressureselect solenoid valve 192, becomes operable to either vacuum or inflatethe filled film bag 308. Then, solenoid 130 in conjunction with solenoid131 become operable to seal and cut the film bag at a predeterminedtime. Closing the lid 112 preferably moves the sealing and closingmechanism 170 in contact with the film bag 308.

Next, the vacuum sealer 100 is ready for operation. The power control161, e.g., start control 161 a or the combination start/stop control 161c, is pressed to begin the pre-selected operation (inflate, seal orvacuum). The various components then commence operation to pull the filmbag from the film cartridge or from the individual rolls of film. Thefilm or rollers will run for a predetermined time to bring allcontaminated film below the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 and thenturns off. Next, the drive base 150 moves in and tugs on the film thatextends up.

In an embodiment where a vacuum control 164 is selected, the pump 186,the motor 184 and the vacuum/pressure select solenoid valve 192 operateto vacuum the film bag 308 to the predetermined vacuum percentage. Alight adjacent to the pre-selected vacuum percentage vacuum control maylight up and the predetermined vacuuming percentage will commence. Thelight may then indicate that the process has evacuated the predeterminedamount of air from the film bag 308.

In an alternative embodiment, as air is removed from the film bag, asecond indicator light near the first indicator light may optionallyturn on when a predetermined percentage of vacuuming, but less than thetotal vacuuming desired, is achieved. Various indicator lights may turnon and stay on as the vacuum percentage increases until the totalpredetermined vacuum percentage is reached and all of the indicatorlights up to the total predetermined vacuum percentage turn on. Thepurpose of each indicator light is to indicate to the user the amount ofpressure, i.e., vacuum percentage, in the film bag 308. A user willbecome familiar with the levels of vacuum necessary for their needswhere total vacuum, i.e., 100% vacuum, may be too much.

Another purpose for the indicator light array is to give the user somesense of progress regarding the vacuuming percent of the film bag 308.When all indicator lights are on up to the predetermined vacuumpercentage, the vacuum sealer will then perform the sealing and cuttingfunction. In the sealing function, a first side solenoid 130 and asecond side solenoid 131 will move into position in preparation forsealing and cutting the film bag 308. Simultaneously, the sealing andcutting mechanism will turn on and the sealing and cutting mechanism 170will then come together to preferably simultaneously seal the filledfilm bag 308, cut the film bag 308, and seal the bottom of the next filmbag.

On either side of the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 may be a springactuated tension isolating bar 178, as shown for example in FIG. 15,which contacts the film when the lid is closed, but when the sealing andcutting mechanism 170 is still not in contact with the film bag 308. Thespring actuated tension isolating bars 178 need to be strong enough tohold a full film bag 308 without letting the weight of the contents inthe film bag 308 affect the cutting of the film bag 308. After apredetermined time, the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 will shut offand an operator interface on the control panel 160 or control mechanismwill light up. Then, the base drive 150 will open up and the sealed filmbag 308 will fall to the bottom of the receiving area 116 of the vacuumsealer 100.

During vacuuming, a user may manually stop the vacuuming at a desiredpoint by pressing the power control 161, e.g., stop control 161 b orcombination start/stop control 161 c, on the control panel 160 orcontrol mechanism.

In an embodiment where the seal/cut control 162 is selected on thecontrol panel 160, an indicator light may turn on to indicate as such.The first side solenoid 130 and the second side solenoid 131 will moveinto position in preparation for sealing and cutting the film bag 308.Preferably simultaneously, the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 will beactivated and the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 will come togetherto seal the filled film bag 308, cut the film bag 308 and seal thebottom of the next film bag. After a predetermined time, the sealing andcutting mechanism 170 will shut off and an operator interface willindicate such on the control panel 160 or control mechanism that thesealing and cutting mechanism 170 has shut off, e.g., an indicator willlight up. The sealed film bag 308 will then fall to the bottom of thereceiving area 116 of the vacuum sealer 100.

In an embodiment where an inflate control 163 is selected, avacuum/pressure select solenoid valve 192 will cycle and change theoutput of the pump 186 and compressor 188 from vacuum to inflate and thefilm bag 308 will be inflated to the predetermined inflate percentage. Alight adjacent to the pre-selected inflate percentage may light up asthe inflation of the film bag 308 begins. A user may manually stop theinflation process by pushing the power control 161, e.g., stop control161 b or the combination start/stop 161 c.

In an alternative embodiment, as air is blown into the film bag 308, afirst indicator light may optionally turn on when the film bag 308 is50% inflated. If the film bag 308 is to be totally inflated (100%inflation), a second indicator light may optionally turn on when thatinflation percent is reached. When the pre-selected inflation percentageis reached, and, if the embodiment has indicator lights, all indicatorlights are on up to the pre-selected inflation percentage, the vacuumsealer 100 will go into the seal/cut operation.

Once the inflation is complete, the sealing and cutting mechanism 170comes together to seal the filled film bag 308, cut the filled film bag308 and seal the bottom of the next film bag. More particularly, thefirst side solenoid 130 and the second side solenoid 131 will move inpreparation for sealing and cutting the film bag as set forth above.Preferably simultaneously, the sealing and cutting mechanism 170 will beactivated. After a predetermined time, the sealing and cutting mechanism170 will shut off and an operator interface will indicate on the controlpanel 160 or control mechanism that the sealing and cutting mechanism170 has shut off. The sealed film bag 308 will then fall to the bottomof the receiving area 116 of the vacuum sealer 100.

In each of the embodiments described above, the vacuum sealer 100 alsohas at least one pressure transmitter 190 in the vacuum/pump mechanism180 that functions in both vacuum and pressure ranges. The pressuretransmitter 190 is preferably a combination high/low pressure sensor ortwo pressure transmitters 190 including a high pressure shut off sensorand a low pressure shut off sensor. The pressure sensor(s) of thepressure transmitter 190 monitor the amount of pressure in the film bag308 while vacuuming or inflation is occurring, such as to prevent thefilm bag 308 from exploding from too much pressure. The pressure shutoff sensor or combination high/low pressure sensor operates inconjunction with the vacuum control 164 or the inflate control 163 thatwas selected by the user. The indicator lights on the control panel 160,if present, may light up in different colors or intensity, for example,in order to indicate positive pressure for increasing levels ofvacuuming or inflation and a neutral/start position having no vacuumpressure or no inflation pressure inside the film bag 308.

Once the filled film bag 308 is sealed and cut, the vacuum sealer 100 isready to have another film bag filled or ready to be shut off. Ifanother film bag is to be filled, the lid lock 113 and the lid closinglatch 115 are released, the lid 112 is opened and the process may berepeated by selecting the desired operation and filling the film bagwith the desired contents and then proceeding as detailed above. Thevacuum sealer 100 of the invention may have an automatic turn offmechanism which automatically turns the vacuum sealer 100 off after apredetermined time of non-use.

Position of Sealer

The vacuum sealer 100 is preferably operated in a vertical orientationsuch as shown for example in FIGS. 1, 2, 7-9, 13-14, 30, 32-33, 35,36-39, 41-47, 49-51, and 53-58. However, the vacuum sealer 100 may beable to change orientation. By activating or pressing a multipleorientation button, the vacuum sealer 100 may be switched from avertical position to a horizontal position, such as shown for example inFIGS. 10, 34 and 52, for items which may be more conveniently vacuumsealed in a horizontal position. In the vertical orientation, the vacuumsealing technology of the vacuum sealer eliminates problems associatedwith vacuum sealing bags containing liquid items, such as preventingspillage and preventing the contents from being pumped into thevacuum/pump mechanism 180 or the suction lines thereof. The vacuumsealer may also be able to be used in an angled position.

The vacuum sealer 100 is preferably operated in a vertical orientationas described above and thus the vacuum port 182 is positioned above thecontents of the film bag 308. This structure allows gravity to minimizethe sucking up of juices or other liquid that may be present in the filmbag 308 into the vacuum port 182 and thus, the vacuum/pump mechanism180. This vertical orientation of the vacuum sealer 100 avoids the needfor a drip tray as required in horizontal vacuum sealers. However, insome circumstances, it may be desired for the user to position and/orused the vacuum sealer 100 in the horizontal orientation or in an angledorientation.

Closures

FIGS. 61-66 show various embodiments of closures for the film bag 308 ofthe invention. Other suitable closures may also be used. Specifically,FIG. 61 shows a thermal seal welding closure of two internal layers ofthe film bag 308 of a multi-layered film. FIG. 62 shows a standardzipper tape lamination which allows air to permeate through the zipperand into the film bag 308. FIG. 63 shows sealing of the film bag througha single male/female closure design. With this closure, the film layersare held in such close proximity to each other that air permeability isnegligible. FIGS. 64-66 show a vacuum activated sealing of a film bag308 showing a predetermined male/female profile closure mechanism.Specifically, a vacuum is used to pull together the profiles of thezipper to form an air-tight seal. More particularly, FIG. 64 shows themale/female profile closure mechanism in an open position, FIG. 65 showsthe male/female profile closure mechanism in a partially closed positionand FIG. 66 shows the male/female profile closure mechanism in a closedposition.

Various types of other closures may be added to the film bag 308 toprovide the seal thereof and/or to provide resealable film bags 308. Thefilm bag 308 may be closed by thermal heating as discussed above. Othertypes of seals include, but are not limited to, (1) a pinch and sealclosure, (2) a pinch and seal closure with adhesive seal technology, (3)an adhesive seal closure, (4) an adhesive seal closure with a tearstrip, (5) a slider seal closure, (6) an adhesive embedded in anembossed pattern closure, (7) a pinch and seal closure inside a sealedflap, (8) an adhesive embossed pattern closure covering a top of a filmbag, and (9) a pinch and seal closure with a peelable heat seal. Theseal of the film bag 308 may also be a vacuum activated closure whichuses a vacuum to make extremely tight fitting profiles such as shown forexample in FIGS. 64 and 66 detailed above.

The pinch and seal closure is in-line or along the same axis as thefilm. The bottom of the film bag 308 is formed at the same time as thepinch and seal closure. The vacuum sealer 100 can form both sides of thefilm bag adjacent to the pinch and seal closure when film rolls 304 areused.

The pinch and seal closure with an adhesive seal is in-line or along thesame axis as the film. The bottom of the film bag 308 is formed at thesame time as the pinch and seal closure. The vacuum sealer 100 can formboth sides of the film bag adjacent to the pinch and seal closure whenfilm rolls 304 are used. An adhesive at, near or below the pinch andseal closure is used to improve the seal of the film bag 308.

The adhesive seal closure and the adhesive seal closure with a tearstrip is in-line or along the same axis as the film. The film may alsohave a non-air permeable tear strip, at, near or above the adhesive sealclosure for initially opening a vacuum packed film bag 308. The tearstrip could be composed of foam which would keep the integrity of thefilm bag and not allow leakage, but yet is readily torn apart by theuser when desired. The tear strip can be colored for easy useridentification. The bottom of the film bag 308 is formed at the sametime as the adhesive seal closure. The vacuum sealer 100 can form bothsides of the film bag adjacent to the adhesive closure when film rolls304 are used.

The slider seal closure is in-line or along the same axis as the film.The bottom of the film bag 308 is formed at the same time as the sliderseal closure. The vacuum sealer 100 can form both sides of the film bagadjacent to the slider seal closure when film rolls 304 are used.

The adhesive embedded in an embossed pattern closure is in-line or alongthe same axis as the film. The bottom of the film bag 308 is formed atthe same time as the adhesive seal closure. The vacuum sealer 100 canform both sides of the film bag adjacent to the adhesive seal closurewhen film rolls 304 are used.

The pinch and seal closure inside a sealed flap is formed by placing theclosure inside the flap of the film bag which makes the film bag nonair-permeable. The flap could have a tear strip to expose the pinch andseal closure upon initial use. The pinch and seal closure inside theflap is in-line or along the same axis as the film. The bottom of thefilm bag is formed at the same time as the pinch and seal closure. Thevacuum sealer 100 can form both sides of the film bag adjacent to thepinch and seal closure when film rolls 304 are used.

The adhesive embossed pattern closure covering a top of the film bagpreferably fully covers one interior half of the film and the closure isin-line or along the same axis as the film. The bottom of the film bagis formed at the same time as the closure. The vacuum sealer 100 canform both sides of the film bag adjacent to the closure when film rolls304 are used. It may not be necessary to have thermoform side seals ifthe adhesive forms an airtight seal.

The pinch and seal closure with a peelable heat seal is a pinch and sealclosure which is in-line or along the same axis as the film. The filmbag 308 also has a peelable heat seal at, near or below the pinch andseal closure for the purposes of improving the seal. The bottom of thefilm bag 308 is formed at the same time as the pinch and seal closure.The vacuum sealer 100 can form both sides of the film bag adjacent tothe pinch and seal closure when film rolls 304 are used.

Another type of closure that may be used is a leak-proof foam tearstrip. Foam tear strips do not leak fluid like serrated tear strips.Foam tear strips can contain a vacuum for a predetermined time unlikeserrated tear strips which cannot contain a vacuum. With foam tearstrips, a user is able to open a film bag 308 easily without the aid oftools. Foam tear strips are also beneficial especially when used withnylon film bags which are nearly impossible to tear without usingscissors, a knife or some other sharp instrument. Also, foam tear stripsrip substantially straight every time.

Foam tear strip closures can be produced using a multiple section diewhich would allow a different material to be placed in the strip. Thestrip can be made of any number of resins, including a foaming agentadded to the blend. One such foaming agent used for polyethylene isSAFOAM FPE-20, manufactured by Reedy International, Key Port, N.J. Thefoaming agent needs to be added only at about 1-2% to be effective.

Film

The film 300 used in the vacuum sealer 100 of the invention may be anysuitable film. The film 300 may be a single layer or may have two ormore layers, such as shown in FIGS. 67-70, and are described in moredetail hereafter. The film preferably has at least one layer of gaspermeable film which forms the film wherein the air permeability thereofis reduced to an acceptable level.

It is known that air permeates through low gauge polyethylene film. Ithas been determined, however, that when an air permeable film in theform of a film bag is sealed properly, it will take the air weeks tomonths to equalize the pressure between the inside and the outside ofthe film bag. This is accomplished by adding a second layer andoptionally putting a second vacuum (the first vacuum being on theinterior storage section of the film bag) between the two layers. Theprocess of equalizing pressure must then occur first in the spacebetween the two layers and the outside of the film bag prior toaffecting the inside of the film bag. This slows down the rate ofpermeation such that the film bag performs as well as a film bag made ofhigher cost gas impermeable film.

The film may also optionally be produced with ribs or segments thatconnect both layers of the film and keep the layers in close proximityto each other. This connection serves to prevent a loss of the vacuumbetween the two layers from being noticeable. However, there should belittle or no permeation through the film bag due to the vacuum in thespace between the two layers and the connecting ribs or segments whichprevent compression or expansion of the space.

The vacuum between the two layers can be provided during production ofthe film 300 prior to loading into the film cartridge 200 which will beinserted into the vacuum sealer 100 or at any other suitable time.Producing vacuums between two or more layers of film may be achieved byusing the heat of an extruded polymer to expand the gases between thelayers and then sealing the gap prior to allowing the plastic of thefilm to cool. Also, production of a vacuum between the two layers may beachieved by any other method. The film preferably has controlled oxygenpermeability, such as a film structure with sufficient oxygenpermeability to maintain headspace oxygen levels inside the packageabove 2% during food storage. It may also be preferable to allow thisamount of permeation for better food storage.

The film used in the vacuum sealer 100 of the invention may optionallybe pre-embossed film or the film may be embossed as it advances throughthe vacuum sealer 100. The film may be embossed by enabling a vacuum tobe pulled on a film bag or film, thereby creating paths for the air tobe pulled through. When the film is embossed by the vacuum sealer 100,rollers may be provided to emboss the film as it comes from the filmcartridge 200.

Any suitable film 300 may be used in the vacuum sealer 100 of theinvention. Preferred embodiments of film are shown for example in FIGS.67-73. More particularly, FIG. 67 shows a two-layer film. The two layerfilm is preferably a nylon polyethylene combination film.

FIG. 68 shows a four layer film, which is preferably a nylonpolyethylene combination film having alternating nylon and polyethylenelayers. The outermost nylon layer of the film is preferably the outsideof the film bag 308 and the outermost polyethylene layer of the film ispreferably the inside of the film bag 308. However, the arrangement oflayers may be reversed or in any other suitable arrangement. The filmlayers are preferably joined together by a suitable adhesive. The filmpreferably has a thickness as conventional in the art, most preferably,e.g. about 30 mils. Each nylon layer most preferably ranges in thicknessfrom about 4 mils to about 5 mils. Each polyethylene layer mostpreferably ranges in thickness from about 10 mils to about 11 mils.

FIG. 69 shows a three layer film, which is preferably a polyethylene andethylene vinyl alcohol combination film, having two polyethylene layerswith an ethylene vinyl alcohol layer between the polyethylene layers.The film layers are preferably joined together by a suitable adhesive.The film most preferably has a thickness of about 23 mils. Eachpolyethylene layer most preferably ranges in thickness from about 8 milsto about 13 mils. The ethylene vinyl alcohol layer most preferably has athickness of about 2 mils. At 75% of the thickness of the nylonpolyethylene combination film, the polyethylene and ethylene vinylalcohol combination film provides twice the air barrier than the nylonpolyethylene combination film.

FIG. 70 shows another embodiment of a multi-layer film constructionhaving embossing to form vacuum channels therein.

FIG. 71 shows a film bag having oscillating rib vacuum flow channels 350therein. FIGS. 72-73 show a method of forming the oscillating rib vacuumflow channels 350 in the film of FIG. 71. Particularly, oscillatingbellybands 352 of a die 354 are blown from side to side by air pulses orare moved back and forth along the axis of the film 300 by air blasts,thereby forming the rib vacuum flow channels 350 in the film 300.Crisscrossing bands when the film 300 is folded allows distribution of avacuum across the inside of the film bag.

Another type of film that may be used to form the film bags 308 is foamfilm. Foam film bags provide (1) a thermo-clarity seal, (2) a contactclarity vacuum, (3) visually appear to be a thicker gauge, (4) haveenhanced rightability, (5) have an aluminum foil look, (6) potentiallyaffect air permeability, and (7) have the ability to open manually.Potentially, foam film bags are more flexible than other types of filmbags. The pliability of the film may have an impact on the efficiency ofthe vacuum sealer 100.

A film having nylon make the film bags 308 made therefrom very stiff. Inorder for the end product to have a perfectly conformed film vacuumlook, the vacuum pumps for these film bags have to be much morepowerful. If a very soft and pliable film is used, the vacuum pump canbe much less powerful and still be effective. If a small pump can beused to get the same effect, there is less of a chance for sucking upliquid contents from the film bag. Smaller, less powerful pumps alsotend to cost less. After the film bag is formed, the stiffness of thefilm works in conjunction with the air permeability of the film to causethe film bag to lose the vacuum therein. Less stiffness in the filmequates to a longer period where the film remains conformed to thecontents of the film bag.

Other types of film may also be used in the present invention. Inchoosing a film to use with the vacuum sealer 100 of the invention, theability of the film 300 to maintain contact with the contents of thefilm bag 308 is preferably greater than or equal to (1) the compressionresistance of the contents, plus (2) the stiffness of the film, i.e.,the force required to overcome the memory of the film, plus (3) the airpermeability of the film, plus (4) the thickness of the film, plus (5)the delta pressure between the atmosphere and the inside of the film bag308.

However, any suitable means may be utilized to produce vacuums betweenthe two or more layers of film. It may also be preferable to allow thisamount of permeation for better food storage results.

Film Bag Labeling

Optionally, the vacuum sealer 100 may have the capability to manipulate,label or print on a surface of a film bag 308 in order to provide a dateof the contents therein, to identify the contents therein and/or toinventory the contents therein. In order for a vacuum sealer 100 tomanipulate the surface of a film bag 308, the vacuum sealer couldthermo-form, indenture or emboss a pattern into the film bag in order todate, identify and/or inventory the contents therein. In a preferredembodiment, manipulating the surface of a film bag may be achieved by aheat-sealing barcode over a foamed strip in-line or along the same axisas the film. Contacting a bar type heating element against a foam opaquestrip would cause the foam to be clear at the point of contact. Thisheat manipulated portion of the foam strip would be placed into a sloton the vacuum sealer 100 so that the pertinent information would be on adisplay on the vacuum sealer and then on the film bag. The clear bars ofthe foam strip can be placed over a black surface so that the bars wouldappear much like a barcode seen on present-day store packages. Inanother preferred embodiment, printing content information directly onthe surface of the film bag 308 may be achieved by corona treatment ofthe film prior to loading the film into the film cartridge 200.

The display on the vacuum sealer 100 could also have an interface thatallows the user to select a vacuum setting that matches the contents ofthe film bag. Not only would the vacuum sealer 100 adjust the vacuumpressure appropriately based on the selection made on the interface, butcould enter the contents into a database for inventory control.Additionally, reminders could be displayed on the vacuum sealer to helpthe user use their inventory items, e.g., food, more wisely.

Replacement for Film Cartridge and Film

In an alternative embodiment, the vacuum sealer 100 can be designed suchthat the film cartridge 200 can be replaced with a film housingcontainer 220, such as shown for example in FIGS. 36-37 and as describedabove. The film housing container 220 may be filled with items, such asfood, and then a container lid 224 is then inserted on the top of thefilm housing container 220. As the vacuum pump 186 creates a vacuum, thecontainer lid 224 can be drawn down tighter onto the film housingcontainer 220 and locked in place, such as in an indentation on the filmhousing container 220. Once the vacuum pump is shut off, the containerlid 224 will preferably remain locked in place.

Miscellaneous

The vacuum sealer 100 may optionally release freshness enhancingvolatile compounds into the head space of the film bag 308 after fillingthereof, but prior to or during sealing thereof. The compounds may bedispensed from a canister that is optionally attached to or a part ofthe vacuum sealer 100. These compounds may include, but are not limitedto, ethanol, carbon dioxide, ethylene blocking compounds withanti-microbial properties, and/or any other suitable compounds.

The vacuum sealer 100 may also have additional optional functionalaccessories or modular components such as, but not limited to, anintegrated scale, a perforating roller, a vibration mode and a pleatingunit. An integrated scale would weigh the contents of the film bag 308or film housing container 220 during or after filling thereof. Aperforating roller, which may be removable, could perforate the film bag308 to allow transpiration of stored fruits and vegetables, if desired.A vibration mode would cause the vacuum sealer 100 to vibrate whilefilling so that the contents may settle in the film bag 308 or filmhousing container 220 in order to accommodate more contents into thefilm bag or film housing container. A pleating unit, which may beremovable, could enable a user to pleat the film as the film isdispensed or retracted so that a pleated or non-pleated film bag isproduced.

The vacuum sealer may also optionally include a sensor to preventbursting or tearing of the film bag during inflating and vacuuming.

The vacuum sealer and the film cartridge may be made of any suitablematerial, e.g. plastics, metals, and any combination thereof.

The exemplary embodiments herein disclosed are not intended to beexhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope of the invention. Theexemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain theprinciples of the present invention so that others skilled in the artmay practice the invention. As will be apparent to one skilled in theart, various modifications can be made within the scope of the aforesaiddescription. Such modifications being within the ability of one skilledin the art form a part of the present invention.

1. A vacuum sealer for packaging and storing items in a film bagcomprising: a body having a bottom portion and a top portion with anopening in the top portion; a film cartridge having an opening in a topface thereof and a film holder for holding film therein to form a filmbag, wherein the film cartridge is operatively positioned within theopening in the top portion of the body; a drive mechanism comprising atleast two drive rollers and a motorized drive, wherein the drivemechanism is adapted to feed the film from the film cartridge and toadvance the film through the body to feed and form the film bag; asealing and cutting mechanism comprising at least one sealing andcutting member having a first sealing element, a cutting element and asecond sealing element, wherein the cutting element is operativelypositioned substantially adjacent to and between the first sealingelement and the second sealing element, wherein the sealing and cuttingmember is constructed and arranged to seal a bottom of a first film bag,and after filling of the first film bag with predetermined contents, thefirst sealing element is constructed and arranged to seal a top of thefirst film bag providing a top seal therein, the second sealing elementis constructed and arranged to seal a bottom of a subsequent film bagproviding a bottom seal therein, and the cutting element is constructedand arranged to cut the film between the top seal on the first film bagand the bottom seal on the subsequent film bag; a vacuum/pump mechanismcomprising a motor, a pump, a compressor and a vacuum port for inflatingthe film bag with gas or vacuuming the film bag to remove gas therefrom;and a control mechanism for controlling functioning of the vacuumsealer.
 2. The vacuum sealer of claim 1, wherein the film holder in thefilm cartridge is adapted to hold tubular film and/or film rolls.
 3. Thevacuum sealer of claim 1, wherein the film is present between the driverollers which are adapted to guide and to advance the film from the filmholder through the body in formation of the film bag.
 4. The vacuumsealer of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism further comprises a drivebase and two vertical side members in the motorized drive, said drivebase being operatively connected to a power source to drive the verticalside members of the motorized drive, wherein a top of at least one ofthe vertical side members is operatively connected to drive the driverollers.
 5. The vacuum sealer of claim 1, wherein the drive rollers aresubstantially parallel.
 6. The vacuum sealer of claim 1, wherein thefirst sealing element, the cutting element and the second sealingelement are substantially parallel, in a common plane and perpendicularto a direction of advance of the film bag.
 7. The vacuum sealer of claim1, wherein the at least one sealing and cutting member includes a firstsealing and cutting member and a second sealing and cutting member,wherein the first sealing and cutting member and the second sealing andcutting member have a substantially crescent shape.
 8. The vacuum sealerof claim 1, wherein the sealing and cutting mechanism operates bythermal heating or radio frequency bonding.
 9. The vacuum sealer ofclaim 1, wherein the vacuum/pump mechanism further comprises a pressuretransmitter and a vacuum/pressure solenoid valve.
 10. The vacuum sealerof claim 1, wherein the pump and the compressor work in conjunction toprovide gas into the film bag during inflation of the film bag or toremove gas from the film bag during vacuuming of the film bag.
 11. Thevacuum sealer of claim 1, wherein the vacuum port is constructed andarranged to extend into or near an opening of the film bag so thatpressure provided by the pump can inflate or vacuum the film bag,wherein the vacuum port is operatively positioned in an underside of alid which is adapted to cover the opening in the top face of the filmcartridge or near at least one end of the sealing and cutting mechanism.12. A film cartridge for a vacuum sealer for forming a film bag forpackaging and storing items therein comprising: a top component having atop face and an opening in the top face; at least one film holder forholding film therein to form the film bag, wherein the at least one filmholder is operatively positioned below the top face of the top componentand adjacent the opening in the top face; a drive mechanism comprisingat least two drive rollers and a motorized drive having two verticalside members and a base drive connecting the side members at a bottomend thereof, wherein the drive mechanism is adapted to feed film fromthe at least one film holder and to advance the film in formation of thefilm bag; and optionally, a sealing and cutting mechanism constructedand arranged to seal a bottom of a first film bag, and after filling ofthe first film bag with predetermined contents, to seal a top of thefirst film bag providing a top seal therein, to seal a bottom of asubsequent film bag providing a bottom seal therein, and to cut the filmbetween the top seal on the first film bag and the bottom seal on thesubsequent film bag.
 13. The film cartridge of claim 12, wherein the atleast one film holder is adapted to hold tubular film and/or film rolls.14. The film cartridge of claim 12, wherein each of the at least twodrive rollers is operatively positioned along each side of the openingin the top face of the top component and below the top face of the topcomponent.
 15. The film cartridge of claim 12, wherein the at least twodrive rollers are operatively positioned on each end of the topcomponent adjacent to the opening in the top face of the top component.16. The film cartridge of claim 12, wherein the drive base of themotorized drive is operatively connected to a power source to drive thevertical side members of the motorized drive, wherein a top of each ofthe vertical side members is operatively connected to drive the at leasttwo drive rollers.
 17. The film cartridge of claim 12, wherein the driverollers are substantially parallel and in a common plane.
 18. The filmcartridge of claim 12, wherein the sealing and cutting mechanismcomprises at least one sealing and cutting member having a first sealingelement, a cutting element and a second sealing element, wherein thecutting element is operatively positioned substantially adjacent to andbetween the first sealing element and the second sealing element on thesealing and cutting member, wherein the sealing and cutting member isadapted to seal a bottom of a first film bag, and after filling thefirst film bag with predetermined contents, the first sealing element isadapted to seal the top of the first film bag providing the top sealtherein, the second sealing element is adapted to seal the bottom of thesubsequent film bag providing the bottom seal therein, and the cuttingelement is adapted to cut the film between the top seal on the firstfilm bag and the bottom seal on the subsequent film bag.
 19. The filmcartridge of claim 12, wherein the first sealing element, the cuttingelement and the second sealing element are substantially parallel, in acommon plane and perpendicular to a direction of advance of the filmbag.
 20. The film cartridge of claim 12, wherein the sealing and cuttingmechanism operates through thermal heating or radio frequency bonding.